The signing comes after head coach Kyle Shanahan informed reporters that tight end MyCole Pruitt is expected to "be out for a little bit" due to a calf injury.
This will be Matthews' third stint with the 49ers. His previous two came between 2019-20. Matthews has worked this offseason to transition from wide receiver to tight end, including training with George Kittle and Robert Tonyan of the Green Bay Packers in Nashville, Tennessee.
Matthews was also among the many attendees at Tight End University in Nashville, which was hosted by Kittle, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, and former NFL tight end Greg Olsen.
Earlier this month, NFL Network's Ian Rapport reported that Matthews had added over 15 pounds as part of the transition. The tight end was listed at 235 pounds on the roster of attendees during a free-agent tryout put on by HUB Football in San Diego.
Matthews worked out for the New York Jets this week.
Not only is Matthews familiar with the 49ers coaching staff and system, he has already caught passes from rookie quarterback Trey Lance. Matthews joined head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in Fargo, North Dakota before the draft, serving as a target during Lance's second pro day.
Matthews, a second-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014, has compiled 274 catches for 3,288 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in his seven NFL seasons.
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